Prince of Belmonte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princedom of Belmonte |
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| Creation date | 1619 |
| Monarch | Philip III of Spain |
| Peerage | Spanish Kingdom of Naples |
| First holder | Orazio Giovan Battista Ravaschieri Fieschi, 1st Prince of Belmonte |
| Present holder | Angelo Gennaro Granito Pignatelli, 13th Prince of Belmonte |
| Remainder to | Male-preference primogeniture |
| Subsidiary titles | Duke of Acerenza, Marquess of Galatone, Marquess of Castellabate, Count of Copertino |
The Prince of Belmonte is a special noble title. It was created in 1619 by the Spanish king, Philip III of Spain. This title was given to the Barons of Badolato and Belmonte. The name comes from the fortress town of Belmonte in Calabria, Italy. This town was very important for protecting the Italian coast from invaders long ago. Today, Belmonte is known as Belmonte Calabro.
The princes of Belmonte also received other important honors. In 1712, they became Grandees of Spain (First Class). This meant they had a very high rank among the Spanish nobility. In 1726, they were also named Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. This gave them the special style of Serene Highness.
The princes hold several other noble titles too. These include Duke of Acerenza (since 1593), Marquess of Galatone (since 1562), and Count of Copertino (since 1562).
The main home of the princes is Palazzo Belmonte. It is located on the Bay of Salerno, south of Amalfi. The princes are related to the Fieschi family from Genoa. This family became nobles in the year 1010. They were made Counts Palatine by Henry the Holy, who was King of Italy and later a Holy Roman Emperor. The Emperor also made the Fieschi family Imperial Vice-Regents for all of Tuscany and the coast of Genoa.
Homes of the Princes
The Princes of Belmonte owned many important homes and castles over the years. Here are some of them:
- Palazzo Ravaschieri Fieschi della Torre
- Palazzo Rivellino
- The town of Acerenza
- Castle of Galatone
- Copertino Castle
- Palace of Muro Leccese
- Palazzo Belmonte at Santa Maria di Castellabate
See also
- Belmonte Calabro
- Castellabate
- Muro Leccese
- Acerenza
- Corigliano d'Otranto
- Galatone
- Argençola
- Castellabate
- Copertino
- Badolato
- Veglie
- Leverano
- Rocca Cilento
- Santa Maria di Castellabate
